LCQ18: New customs clearance practice: Red and Green Channel
System
************************************************************ Following is a question by the Hon Wong Ting-kwong and a written reply by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Frederick Ma, in the Legislative Council today (October 26):
Question:
It has been reported that the number of cases in which travellers brought in excessive quantities of duty-free cigarettes has been on the rise, from 158 cases in 2002 to 268 cases last year. The Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) therefore plans to try out the "Red/Green Channel System" in November this year at the airport and various land boundary control points, in order to check whether members of the public have brought in excessive quantity of duty-free cigarettes or liquors at customs clearance. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the trial period of the above new customs clearance practice;
(b) of the estimated expenditure on publicity and installation of the system;
(c) of the details of the anticipated reduction in the manpower of C&ED upon the introduction of the new system;
(d) how it will ensure that those members of the public who have brought in excessive quantities of duty-free cigarettes or liquors will voluntarily use the "Red Channel" for customs clearance; and
(e) whether it knows the experience and effectiveness of using the "Red/Green Channel System" by law-enforcement departments in the Mainland and overseas?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) The Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) will officially introduce the "Red and Green Channel System" on 1 November this year at all entry points in Hong Kong. The effectiveness of the system will be regularly reviewed for further improvement.
(b) To tie in with the introduction of the new customs clearance system, C&ED will launch extensive publicity which includes broadcasting announcements of public interest (APIs) on TV, radio and incoming passenger aircraft as well as displaying posters, broadcasting APIs and distributing guideline leaflets at various control points. C&ED has allocated $800,000 for the production of such publicity materials. Channel display units have also been installed at the control points (including the Hong Kong International Airport, five land boundary crossings and two cross-boundary piers) at a cost of about $4.7 million.
(c) The "Red and Green Channel System" is designed to provide passengers with more convenient and higher quality customs clearance services, enhance revenue protection and bring our customs clearance system into line with international practices. It is not aimed at reducing manpower. C&ED has looked into the possibility of saving manpower in considering the introduction of the "Red and Green Channel System". As the operation of this new customs clearance system will not reduce the number of officers required for or procedures involved in customs clearance, the introduction of the system will not save any manpower.
(d) Under the new customs clearance system, passengers should enter the appropriate channel to make declaration. Passengers found making false declaration are liable to prosecution. C&ED will publicise this message and select passengers for examination based on risk management.
(e) The "Red and Green Channel System" has proved to be effective since its introduction in the Mainland and overseas. The World Customs Organization also recommends this customs clearance practice and encourages its members worldwide to adopt it.
System
************************************************************ Following is a question by the Hon Wong Ting-kwong and a written reply by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Frederick Ma, in the Legislative Council today (October 26):
Question:
It has been reported that the number of cases in which travellers brought in excessive quantities of duty-free cigarettes has been on the rise, from 158 cases in 2002 to 268 cases last year. The Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) therefore plans to try out the "Red/Green Channel System" in November this year at the airport and various land boundary control points, in order to check whether members of the public have brought in excessive quantity of duty-free cigarettes or liquors at customs clearance. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the trial period of the above new customs clearance practice;
(b) of the estimated expenditure on publicity and installation of the system;
(c) of the details of the anticipated reduction in the manpower of C&ED upon the introduction of the new system;
(d) how it will ensure that those members of the public who have brought in excessive quantities of duty-free cigarettes or liquors will voluntarily use the "Red Channel" for customs clearance; and
(e) whether it knows the experience and effectiveness of using the "Red/Green Channel System" by law-enforcement departments in the Mainland and overseas?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) The Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) will officially introduce the "Red and Green Channel System" on 1 November this year at all entry points in Hong Kong. The effectiveness of the system will be regularly reviewed for further improvement.
(b) To tie in with the introduction of the new customs clearance system, C&ED will launch extensive publicity which includes broadcasting announcements of public interest (APIs) on TV, radio and incoming passenger aircraft as well as displaying posters, broadcasting APIs and distributing guideline leaflets at various control points. C&ED has allocated $800,000 for the production of such publicity materials. Channel display units have also been installed at the control points (including the Hong Kong International Airport, five land boundary crossings and two cross-boundary piers) at a cost of about $4.7 million.
(c) The "Red and Green Channel System" is designed to provide passengers with more convenient and higher quality customs clearance services, enhance revenue protection and bring our customs clearance system into line with international practices. It is not aimed at reducing manpower. C&ED has looked into the possibility of saving manpower in considering the introduction of the "Red and Green Channel System". As the operation of this new customs clearance system will not reduce the number of officers required for or procedures involved in customs clearance, the introduction of the system will not save any manpower.
(d) Under the new customs clearance system, passengers should enter the appropriate channel to make declaration. Passengers found making false declaration are liable to prosecution. C&ED will publicise this message and select passengers for examination based on risk management.
(e) The "Red and Green Channel System" has proved to be effective since its introduction in the Mainland and overseas. The World Customs Organization also recommends this customs clearance practice and encourages its members worldwide to adopt it.
Ends/Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Issued at HKT 13:15
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